Refrigerator



'z May 6, 1930. F. H. RYDER nmmmwron Filed Feb. 14, 1929 INVENTOR ATTORNEY Patented May 6, y1930 UNITED STATES lPATENT OFFICE FRANK H. RYDER, OF COBLESKILL, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO BARBER REFRIGERATOR CORPORATION, A CORPORATION OF NEW YORK nnrarenna'ron Application led February 14, 1929. Serial No. 339,958.

My invention has for its aim to increase the efliciency of refrigerators. The invention contemplates conserving the ice by reducing the conduction of heat thereto from extraneous sources and provides an air space etween the ice and the walls of the ice chamer: v

Conduction and convection of heat are important considerations in the science of refrigeration. The relatively low temperature of a refrigerator ismaintained by thc convection of heat from the objects in the refrigerator to the ice. The air in the refrigerator absorbs heat from the objects therein, eX- pands, and rises to form air currents which convey the heat absorbed to the ice. Heat is also conveyed to the .ice from extraneous sources by conduction through the walls of the ice chamber and needlessly consumes the ice. To minimize this transfer of heat by conduction the walls of the refrigerator are usually `lined with some material having relatively high heat insulating properties, such as cork. However, when the ice is in contact with the walls of the ice chamber, there is a relatively large temperature gradient between the surfaces of the wall, and, notwithstanding the cork lining, heat is conducted through the `composite wall to the ice. Furthermore, as

.30 the walls are porous, Water of condensation,

despite the use of waterproof paper within the' wall, enters the wall and decreases the heat insulating properties of the lining.

In practicing my invention I provide, by means of a simple, inexpensive device, an air space between the ice and the wall. The air of the air space, by virtue of its constant movement in air currents, does not permit the transfer of heat to the ice by conduction but only by convection. Some heat is, of course, conducted through the wall to the adjacent air within the chamber. However, the temperature of the air in the air space adjacent the wall is higher than thatin contact with the ice; and, since the temperature of the outer surface of the wall is relatively constant, the temperature difference between the outer and inner surfaces of the wall is mate'- rially reduced by the provision of an air 50 space. Therefore, as the transfer of heat through an object is proportional to the temperature gradient through the object, the heat conductedthrough the wall is substantially reduced. By selecting a cake of ice of proper size, an air space may be maintained between the front and side walls, but, due to the rearward slope of the ice pan that is necessary for proper drainage, the ice slides to the back of the chamber and rests against the rear wall.

The device of my invention which I term a bailie positively maintains an air s ace between the icc and the Wall of the ice c amber. The baiiie, which consists of a plate against `which the ice may rest, is universal in its application in that it is applicable to all makes of ice refrigerators. The plate is provided with spacers to maintain it at a predetermined distance from the wall. The spacers used'may take any form and may be severable from, or integral with, the plate.

A detailed description of one embodiment of my invention will be given in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a perspective of a refrigerator with the door of the ice chamber open and the baiiie in place, and

Fig.'2 is a section on the line 2-2 of Figure 1.

consists of a piece of galvanized sheet iron cut to the proper dimension and shown with rounded corners. Depressions 2 are pressed into the metal to form integral spacers 3.

To apply the baiile l to the refrigerator the ice tray 4 is removed. The baiiie is inserted in a vertical position with the spacers 3 in contact with the wall 5 and one edge resting on the ice pan 6. The ice tray 4 is then inserted as shown and supports the bafile in a vertical position.

The dimensions ofthe baiiie will, of course, depend upon the dimensions of the ice chamber. In practice, the height of the baiiie is such to indicate the critical volume of the ice chamber.

In the embodiment illustrated, the baiile l` When the volume of ice in the fi" refrigerator is loss than a certain percentage of the volume of the ice chamber, approxlil() I2 y V 1,757,390

rap-idly. Therefore, it'is desirable to keep the volume of jice in the refrigerator above the critical volume which is indicated by the height of the baile. p

To simplify the illustration and descri tion, I have shown and` described the b e as applied to the rear wall of the ice chamber. However, vit is to be understood that it is applicable to the other Walls as well.

It is obvious .that various .changes may be l madein the construction shown in the drawings and above particularly described Within the principle and scope' of my invention :as

ex ressed in the appended claims.

claim:

1. For 4the ice chamber of a refrigeratoria :separate and unattached metallic plate adapted tostand upright against a Wall of the chamber constitutingva spacing baiile for supporting a cake of ice and having on its y rear face a plurality of spacing projections of comparatively small area, the height of the baffle being proportioned to the critical volp um@ of the ice chamberythe baiile being readily removable for cleaning and being an indicator of the sufficiency of the ice supply in the chamber. A

2. For the ice chamber of a refrigerator, a

separate and unattached metallic plateadapted to stand upright against a Wall of the chamber constituting a spacing baiie for supporting a cake ofice and having on its rear-face a' plurality of spacin projections of com aratively small area, ty e height of the bafle being proportioned to the critical volume of the ice chamber, the bale being readily removable for cleaning and being an indicator of the suciency of the ice supply in v the chamber, and an ice tray'cooperating with said baille for'supporting the baie in an upright position against a wallof the ice chamer. p y.

In witness whereof hereunto subscribe i my signature.4

FRANK H. RYDER.v

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